Home Care Charlotte NC

Monday, January 31, 2011

While slipping on ice outdoors is a definite health hazard, fall prevention for the elderly starts right inside your own home. Correcting these common hazards will go a long way toward preventing falls.

By Wyatt MyersMedically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

Whether it’s slippery floors, rickety stairs, or electrical cords on the floor, some of the most common causes of falls are actually in your own home, where you might have a false sense of security. That’s why fall prevention starts with creating a living space that’s safe.

Luckily, this doesn’t have to involve major home changes or a complete house remodel. You can make your home a safer place designed for fall prevention in the elderly with just a few basic changes.

Senior care experts offer the following advice for preventing falls at home:

Clean up clutter. The easiest method for preventing falls is to keep your home clean and tidy. Remove all clutter, such as stacks of old newspapers and magazines, especially from hallways and staircases.Repair or remove tripping hazards. Sometimes, home fixtures can contribute to falls, which in turn lead to back pain and other injuries. Examine every room and hallway, looking for items such as loose carpet, slippery throw rugs, or wood floorboards that stick up. Then repair, remove, or replace those items for more effective fall prevention.Install grab bars and hand rails. These safety devices are the keys to going up and down stairs, getting on and off the toilet, and in and out of the bathtub without injuring yourself. Gary Kaplan, DO, founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Va., suggests installing grab bars by toilets and bathtubs and handrails in stairways and hallways for fall prevention in the elderly. Have a handyman or family member help with this, if needed.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

LONDON, Dec. 7, 2010 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- A new report from British scientists suggests that long-term, low-dose aspirin use may modestly reduce the risk of dying of certain cancers, though experts warn the study isn't strong enough to recommend healthy people start taking a pill that can cause bleeding and other problems.

Monday, November 8, 2010

As children, we couldn't wait to get older. We embraced every second, even rounding up to 7 1/2 years old instead of just 7. As we made our way past the 20s, however, there was a shift—we clung on to the lower numbers, pining away for that last 30 as we headed into our 40s, 50s or 60s. But growing older doesn't have to be a bad thing—and it's up to us to change our perception!

"I want you to begin to believe that 50 and beyond will literally be the most miraculous—and I do mean miracles occurring in your life," Oprah says.

In her book The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife, author and lecturer Marianne Williamson tells women how to shift the way they think about aging. "It's changing if we allow it to change," Marianne says. Continue reading http://www.oprah.com/spirit/The-Miracle-of-AgingThe Oprah Winfrey Show | March 14, 2008

Monday, October 18, 2010

A lively exchange in the "Tell It to the E-R" column caught my attention. An E-R article had referred to a 67-year-old as "elderly," and several Tell It callers took exception.Quipped one, "I am an active 83-year-old woman and I was amused by your reference to a 68-year-old as an elderly man. Heck, I've got underwear older than that." Another responder complained that the preferred term was "senior," not "elderly." A third announced that "Elderly is (and always will be) someone 20 years older than me."The federal government may use 65 as the qualifying age for Medicare or Social Security, but in day-to-day life, "senior" does not have a clear-cut definition. An invitation to join AARP, the Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons, shocks many 50-year-olds. Others are pleased to take advantage of senior discounts and specially priced menus for ages 55 and older at restaurants such as Denny's, Jack's and Kalico Kitchen. At 60, some see a movie at the Pageant Theatre for a special price or take classes through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute or Elder College at Chico State University. Continue readinghttp://www.chicoer.com/ci_16355320?source=rss

Monday, October 4, 2010

By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News EditorReviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on October 4, 2010

Telemedicine for Elderly DepressionDepression is common among elderly homebound individuals. Unfortunately, treatment for the condition is usually inadequate, if any.

Beyond the decline in mental health, depression can exacerbate medical conditions and may influence mortality.

To address this issue, researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and other organizations have developed a telemedicine-based depression care protocol in home health care. Continue readinghttp://psychcentral.com/news/2010/10/04/telemedicine-for-elderly-depression/19119.html

Visit us at http://www.icareforyouhomecare.com if you need home care in Charlotte, N.C..

Friday, September 10, 2010

Why do we always think it is a medical problem when the elderly fall. This is a great article that gives insight on the health of the elderly when there is a fall. There is a lot of good information we can all use in the article.

Verlia Caldwell, Pres.http://icareforyouhomecare.com

Study on Risk Factors for Indoor and Outdoor Falls May Help Tailor Fall-Prevention Strategies

By Katrina WoznickiWebMD Health News Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

Sept. 8, 2010 -- The risk factors for indoor and outdoor falls among the elderly differ, and not all falls indicate poor health, a study shows.

Researchers found that risk factors for indoor falls include being a woman and having an inactive lifestyle. Risk factors for outdoor falls include being a man and being more physically active.

The study is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.